Dear Southern Reins Family,

Spring is here, and with it comes a fresh edition of our newsletter, packed with exciting updates and heartwarming stories from the farm!

We are all buzzing with anticipation for our 9th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party. It is the Party of the Year where fashion meets passion! Not only is it a celebration of the greatest two minutes in sports, it is also a celebration of the incredible difference our horses make in the lives of those facing disabilities and hardships. We cannot wait to see you there!

Our 9-week Spring Session is in full swing, and it is a joy to see the farm alive with the energy of returning and new faces. From Adaptive Riding to our HorsePOWER Work-Based Learning, we are reaching new milestones and making memorable moments with every interaction.

This newsletter highlights the return of our veterans for our Equine Services for Heroes program and the invaluable help from our friends at Memphis TigerLIFE and Collierville High School Transition Academy. Their hard work and dedication are inspiring.

We have also had some wonderful community interactions, including our outreach at the Collierville Schools Transition Fair and Clyde’s visit to The Farms at Bailey Station have brought us closer to our wider community.

Thank you for being part of our Southern Reins family. Your involvement is what keeps our mission alive and thriving. We hope you enjoy this newsletter and the stories of joy and healing it brings.

Prepare for an unforgettable day filled with BIG HATS, BOURBON, BLUEGRASS, and a live broadcast of the

150th Kentucky Derby at the

9th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party!

Immerse yourself in the exhilaration of the greatest two minutes in sports and be a part of the profound impact and miracles horses make possible for people living with disabilities and hardship in our community.

Proudly presented by

First Horizon Advisors.

Event tickets and sponsorships are going fast! Secure yours TODAY and experience all the excitement!

Southern Reins' 9-week

Spring Session officially began on

Monday, March 25!

We have thoroughly enjoyed having our participants and volunteers back at the farm. Southern Reins seems to shine a little brighter with all of the returning and new smiling faces and we cannot wait to see all this session has in store! This session alone, we will serve more than 105 participants in Adaptive Riding, Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes, HorsePOWER Work-Based Learning, and Silver Stirrups programs. With our Pony Pals visits, we anticipate serving up to 141 individuals this session!

Be sure to check out all the great photos from our recently concluded Winter Session now live on Facebook! We love seeing so many smiles shared by everyone at

the farm.

Please join us in welcoming back veterans from the

Memphis VA Medical Center!

We are thrilled to welcome new veterans to the farm this month to take part in our Equine Services for Heroes program. During visits, they take part in activities to build confidence and self-awareness, improve communication and trust, and decrease anxiety and stress through the healing power of horses.

Southern Reins' Equine Services for Heroes program supports active, reserve, and retired military personnel and first responders who have been physically or mentally injured in the line of duty. The program is offered at no cost to participants in honor of their service and sacrifice to our country.

HorsePOWER Work-Based Learning Continues to Make an Impact!

Our friends at Memphis TigerLIFE and Collierville High School Transition Academy wrapped up their Spring internship, and we are so grateful to have had their help with a variety of tasks at the farm! Twice a week these dedicated groups work at the farm to learn job skills that help them succeed in obtaining and maintaining employment, including cleaning tack, grooming horses and prepping for our upcoming

9th Annual Jockeys & Juleps

Derby Party.

Thank you for your hard work this semester and we cannot wait to have you back in the Fall!

Donuts with Our Director!

Southern Reins' volunteers had the fun opportunity to sit down with our Executive Director, Jill Haag, to share experiences and growth opportunities for our organization! The morning was filled with great conversation and donuts for all of our incredible volunteers. A big thank you to everyone who joined us!

Thank you UTHSC Interns!

We would like to share a very special Thank You to University of Tennessee Health Science Center Occupational Therapy student interns, Sarah and Grace, who have assisted our therapist, Virginia, to provide support to our participants while gaining experience in the field of Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy. We have so enjoyed having you at the farm!

Southern Reins Attends

Collierville Schools Transition Fair!

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Meredith, Southern Reins' volunteer, Donna, and DEC Special Education Teacher, Kellie, had a great time at the

Collierville Schools Transition Fair this month! Students and parents were able to learn about Southern Reins' mission and opportunities to volunteer or participate in our programs.

A special thank you to

Collierville High School for having us!

Clyde Visits

The Farms at Bailey Station!

Our UK Shetland Pony, Clyde, loved his Pony Pals visit to

The Farms at Bailey Station! He enjoyed getting to know all of their residents and meeting new friends. Our Pony Pals program allows these sweet interactions which spark joy, positive memories, and comfort for those who cannot visit our farm. We hope to see you all again very soon!